Prince William and Kate Middleton to meet grieving Leicester stars after being personally struck by Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha’s death

THE Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have announced they will meet Leicester City’s grieving stars and visit the tribute site of the tragic helicopter crash which claimed five lives at the King Power Stadium last month.

The pair will become the first royals to visit Leicester City’s King Power Stadium on Wednesday, November 28 when they visit to pay tribute to the tragic victims of the accident.

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Prince William and Kate Middleton knew the late Leicester chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha through his love of polo as well as footballCredit: Splash News

The Duke and Duchess also want to recognise the warmth and compassion shown by the people of Leicester and club supporters following the helicopter tragedy which shocked the nation.

Their Royal Highnesses will visit the tribute site near the stadium to pay their respects to those killed in the accident, before being introduced to members of the Club’s management team and playing squad.

They will then meet Club staff and volunteers who helped to relocate the thousands of tributes which were left outside the stadium following the accident.

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The death of Leicester's Thai chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha affected many thousands and led to lasting tributes at and around the King Power StadiumCredit: AFP or licensors

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Leicester and Burnley players and supporters held a two minutes' silence for Armistice Day and Foxes' chairman Vichai SrivaddhanaprabhaCredit: Xinhua / Barcroft Media

Afterwards, The Duke and Duchess will visit King Power Stadium itself, where they will meet with representatives from local charities that were supported by Khun Vichai.

They will hear how his support enabled the charities to improve the lives of people in the wider Leicester community.

Following the stadium visit, The Duke and Duchess will move on to the University of Leicester to hear about some of the educational programmes the Foxes have helped to support.

Claudio Ranieri talks about late Leicester City owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha

This includes a £1million donation made by Khun Vichai in May 2018, which will be used to help fund medical research and training at the University through the creation of a Professorship in Child Health.

Leicester City Vice Chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha said: “It is truly an honour for everyone associated with the Club to welcome The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to King Power Stadium.

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Thousands of floral tributes were laid in memory of Vichai SrivaddhanaprabhCredit: AFP or licensors

“For Their Royal Highnesses to visit the city to pay their respects personally is a remarkable gesture of compassion to the families of those who lost their lives, to the staff and players of the Club and to the people of the city whose lives were touched by my father.

“Together with our community partners, we intend to showcase some of the best of Leicester – both in the way the city has come together in the face of such tragedy and in the great work we will continue to undertake in my father’s name as part of our commitment to his legacy.”

Emotional tribute to late Leicester owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha takes place before Burnley clash

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